Three Children's Music Albums to Use As Stocking Stuffers
Christmas is coming. At the Kennedy house, we like to give our girls a little something to listen to in the car while we are traveling over the holidays.
I've recently had the opportunity to review three different children's music albums that I think you'll love. Each one is a bit different, but all are full of biblical truth and grace. Here they are.
PROOF Pirates by Sojourn Music
Kids need grace to make them silly with joy in God and strong in their budding faith. With this EP of sea shanties, Sojourn Music employs Jeremy Quillo's writing skill and Squeeze-bot's Todd Hildreth on accordion to help children uncover the treasure of God's amazing grace. I'm a little biased, because this is my team, but I think it's amazing!
My favorites are the bluesy We're No Skeletons and the lyrically rich Never Drift Away. The Sojourn Music collective teaches kids that what we do or look like does not determine who we are as Christians. What God determined for us through the work of His Son Jesus gives us our identity. Jesus came to save sinners—scallywags—not those who get everything right. The album includes instrumental/karaoke versions for use in a children's ministry classroom, and it corresponds with the PROOF Pirates family devotional and VBS curriculum.
Waiting Songs by Rain for Roots
Sandra McCracken, Flo Paris Oakes, and Katy Bowser have captured the meaning of Advent for kids. Kids know the difficulty of waiting. As the King and Christmas is coming (and is already here!), we must practice listening, quieting ourselves, celebrating, whispering good news, and yelling shouts of joy.
This is a country album with an independent Nashville feel and a lot of soul. My favorites are the hilarious teaching song, Zechariah (who couldn't talk) and the spiritual Every Valley. The first Rain for Roots album was a set of lullabies for young children. This album is decidedly more mature. It includes renditions of classic hymns like O Come O Come Emmanuel and Come Thou Long Expected Jesus and a cover of Thad Cockrell's Great Rejoicing. It's a holiday album to encourage and teach your whole family.
The Ology by Sovereign Grace Kids
The aim of The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New is to teach key truths about God to the next generation in ways that are memorable, creative, fun, and understandable. The album was designed as a companion to the excellent new kids theology by Marty Machowski. Kids learn all about God, people, sin, God’s promises, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, adoption, sanctification, the church, Christ’s return, and the Bible.
One of the impressive things about this album is the diversity of genres it employs is equal to the diversity of doctrines that it teaches. The God of Wow is a Christian rock praise song. Totally God, Totally Man has an old school 1950s beat. All About Jesus is hip hop. The Scariest Song, which memorably teaches a strong doctrine of sin, belongs in a rock opera. Other tracks have more of a country ballad feel. In the album's diversity, kids will discover that our great God is God over all.
Parents, check this music out then teach your kids along the road this holiday season.